Antonio Posa, 88, passed away peacefully at home on January 11, 2022, surrounded by his family in Rio Rancho, NM.
Antonio was born December 17, 1933 and raised in the small town of Ejea de Los Caballeros in Zaragoza, Spain. After serving in the Spanish military, he was a professional wrestler from 1957 to 1976. He is most famously known for taking the National Wrestling Alliance World Championship April 27, 1962 in Mexico City, where he defeated Rene Guajardo. He met his wife Carmen Lujan in May of 1962 while she was on vacation, and the two were married 3 months later on August 17th, and enjoyed 59 years of marriage.
During his career he wrestled internationally in Africa, Germany, England, Italy, France, and later traveled to the Americas where Antonio and Carmen purchased and continued El Merendero (Posa’s) the Tamale producing company which is still run by his children today.
He enjoyed rising early and going to the gym every day. He valued hard work and believed in building strong honest relationships. Those that knew him best would describe him as proud, gracious, considerate, kind, loving and a quiet man of few words.
Antonio was preceded in death by his parents, Bernardo and Juana Posa; brother and sister-in-law, Santiago Posa and his wife Carmen Losano; in-laws, Jose and Aurora Lujan; brothers-in law, Tony Bishop and Augustin Viñau; nephew, Luis Miguel Posa.
He is survived by his wife Carmen; children: Jeff, Johanna Pacheco (Stephen), Antonio, Javier (Debbie); grandchildren: Von (Jennica), Havana (Seth), Nevada, Austin, Paige, Dillon, Ethan, Mason, Kendall and 1 great-grandchild: Thaxton.
He is also survived by his sister Pilar Posa of Ejea and numerous cuñados, cuñadas, hijados, hijadas, sobrinos, sobrinas y empleados. Join us in celebrating his life.
Services will be as follows: Rosary will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Rivera Funeral Home located at 417 Rodeo Rd, Santa Fe, NM and Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on January 20, 2022 at Cristo Rey Catholic Church located at 1120 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM. A private burial will take place at a later date.